All 14 teams are involved in games this weekend, 2 games on Friday and 5 games on Saturday. Here are the games and what I think might happen in a very difficult weekend for predictions.

April 2010

30	Highlanders	v	Waratahs	Invercargill	09:35
30	Vodacom Stormers	v	Crusaders	Newlands Rugby Stadium	19:10

May 2010

1	Hurricanes	v	Chiefs	Wellington	09:35
1	Brumbies	v	Reds	Canberra	11:40
1	Vodacom Cheetahs	v	Blues	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein	15:00
1	Auto & General Lions	v	Western Force	Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg	17:05
1	Vodacom Bulls	v	The Sharks	Loftus Versfeld	19:10

As can be seen some of the toughest battles to take place right here and now, this weekend, battles like the Stormers vs Crusaders, Brumbies vs Reds and Bulls vs Sharks.

After this weekend some teams chances to make the play-offs will be effectively gone, whereas others will have renewed hope and we might even have the situation where one team already makes sure of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Friday 30 April 2010:

Highlanders vs Waratahs:

The Highlanders host the Waratahs in Invercargill, New Zealand at 09:35 SA Time.

The Highladers have been slipping into the abyss in the last number of weeks after returning from a relatively successful tour to South Africa. They are at the lowly 12th spot on the Log, on only 13 Log Points, having lost 8 and won only 2 games and the most shocking statistic is that they have conceded 42 tries already.

Are these Hillbilly Bucket-heads really as bad as their Log position indicates, with only a few stars like Israel Dagg and Jimmy Cowan having made the difference in the 2 wins they have achieved or have they been unlucky and like the Lions and Cheetahs, do they suffer a depth problem?

Well, their forwards are strong, and they usually put up a brave eough effort in the 1st half… until the rot eventually sets in and spits them out as losers.

The Waratahs on the other hand are the “Most Boring Side” in the competition. With ugly and unimpressive rugby they have managed to stay in with a serious shout for the semi’s, now lying in 5th spot, only one point behind position 2,3 & 4.

I’m going to make no bones about this one, the Waratahs will travel to Invercargill with one mission and that is to go fetch 5 Log Points, something I predict they will achieve…. Waratahs by 16.

 

Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Waratahs won 34-16 (Sydney)
2008: Waratahs won 15-12 (Dunedin)
2007: Highlanders won 26-25 (Sydney)
2006: Waratahs won 20-3 (Dunedin)

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Robbie Robinson/Mat Berquist, 9 Jimmy Cowan (captain), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thompson, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Peter Mirrielees, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 John Hardie, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Matt Berquist/Robbie Robinson, 22 James Paterson.

Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Josh Holmes, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Dan Palmer.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Chris Thomson, 19 Patrick McCutcheon, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Rory Sidey, 22 Sosene Anesi.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Josh Noonan (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)

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Stormers vs Crusaders:

The Stormers host the Crusaders at Newlands, Cape Town at 19:10 SA Time.

The Stormers and Crusaders have both come off unexpected losses last weekend and both have had almost the same distance to travel from Australia to South Africa.

The Stormers are currently in 2nd position, having won 7 and lost 3 games. They also still boast the overall best defensive record having only conceded 127 points the whole season, 64 points less than the Crusaders, but they have also only scored 9th most tries in the season.

With a settled side, a strong tight 5, excellent loosies, fast and dedicated outside backs and a seemingly solid flyhalf and centres, there seems to be a balance in this team, lacking in the previous years, but yet they still manage to blow hot or cold sometimes.

They usually start a game at full speed, only to slack off considerably as the game wears on towards full time…. against the Saders you cannot afford this indulgence.

On the other hand we have the Crusaders, in the No 3 Position, but even they will concede that they do not resemble the Crusaders of old… yet. They have won 7,lost only 2 and drawn 1.

Players like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are mere shaddows of their form in previous years, but this classy side tends to end very strong every season.

This one of those typical coin-toss calls to make, but I will give the benefit of home town advantage to the Stormers and call a win for them…. Stormers by 5 points.

 

Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Crusaders won 11-7 (Christchurch)
2008: Crusaders won 22-0 (Cape Town)
2007: Crusaders won 36-11 (Christchurch)      
2006: Stormers won 28-17 (Cape Town)

Teams:

Stormers: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Sireli Naqelevuki, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JD Moller.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Eusebio Guinazu, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Willem De Waal, 22 Tim Whitehead.

Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robert Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ti’i Paulo, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Daniel Bowden, 22 Jared Payne.

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Assistant referees: Pro Legoete (South Africa), Andrew Lees (Australia)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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Saturday 1 May 2010:

Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

The Hurricanes host the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand at 09:35 SA Time.

These are the two disapointing sides from New Zealand, both hot one week but icy cold the next!  What do we make of these two undeachievers?

The Hurricanes are in 7th spot on the Log, with a mathematical chance of making the play-offs, but that is really all it is… a mathematical chance.

What I don’t understand is what a team with a plethera of stars like the Canes are doing in this unaccomplished position on the Log, it is silly, to say the least!

The Chiefs on the other hand are just too far away from even a mathematical chance of the semi’s, in lowy 10th spot. Injuries have ravished this side, the last of which was Sitiveni Sivivatu, who has had to undergo surgery this week.

I predict a home win for the Canes and feel that it is likely that the Chiefs will get pomped by the Canes, just like they have bent over for the Bulls, Stormers and other quality sides recently…… Hurricanes by 15.

 

Previous Super 14 results:
2009: Chiefs won 14-10 (Hamilton) – semifinal
2009: Chiefs won 16-8 (Hamilton)
2008: Hurricanes won 39-19 (Wellington)
2007: Hurricanes won 39-32 (Hamilton)
2006: Hurricanes won 35-10 (Wellington)

Teams:

Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (captain), 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Jeremy Thrush, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Willie Ripia, 22 Jason Kawau.

Chiefs: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14  Dwayne Sweeney, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Callum Bruce, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (captain), 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche/Vern Kamo, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Kevin O’Neill, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Trent Renata, 22 Phil Burleigh

Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
TMO: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

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Brumbies vs Reds:

The Brumbies host the Reds in Canberra at 11:40 SA Time.

The Brumbies are on the brink of collapse, it seems. They are in position No 6 on the Log and this is make or break.

The Brumbies have won 6 and lost 4 but bonus points have been scarse. Some injuries have forced them to include some unknowns like Andrew Smith at No 13 and Brackin Karauria-Henry at No 11 and this spells nothing good against the clever-running Reds.

The Reds on the other hand, have their tails well up, having dispatched the 3 top teams already and they’re sitting at No 4 on the Log, tied with the Stormers and Crusaders on Log Points. They have also been hit with injuries to Rod Davies and one of their locks but they still field a very capable team, who is well coached.

I predict that the Reds will break the losing streak against the Brumbies, to effectively end the Brumbies run for a semi….. Reds by 7.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
02 May 2009 Reds v Brumbies 13-52 Brisbane
01 Mar 2008 Reds v Brumbies 11-43 Canberra
17 Feb 2007 Reds v Brumbies 3-6 Brisbane
29 Apr 2006 Reds v Brumbies 0-36 Canberra
14 May 2005 Reds v Brumbies 21-38 Brisbane

Teams:

Brumbies: 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Pat McCabe, 13. Andrew Smith, 12. Tyrone Smith, 11. Brackin Karauria-Henry, 10. Matt Giteau, 9. Josh Valentine, 8. Stephen Hoiles (c), 7. Colby Faingaa, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. Mark Chisholm, 4. Mitchell Chapman, 3. Salesi Ma’afu, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16. Huia Edmonds, 17. Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18. Ben Hand, 19. Michael Hooper, 20. Patrick Phibbs, 21. Robbie Coleman, 22. Ed Stubbs.

Reds: 15. Peter Hynes, 14. Brando Va’aulu, 13. Will Chambers, 12. Anthony Faingaa, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia (c), 8. Leroy Houston, 7. Daniel Braid, 6. Scott Higginbotham, 5. Adam Byrnes, 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Jack Kennedy, 2. Saia Faingaa, 1. Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16. Sean Hardman, 17. Greg Holmes, 18. Ezra Taylor, 19. Jake Schatz, 20. Ben Lucas, 21. Ben Tapuai, 22. Luke Morahan.

Match Officials:
Referee: Chris Pollock(NZ)
Assistant referees: Nathan Pearce (Aus), Damien Mitchelmore (Aus)
TMO: George Ayoub (Aus)

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Cheetahs vs Blues:

The Cheetahs host the Blues in Bloemfontein at 15:00 SA Time.

The Cheetahs have certainly shown last week that they aim to put up a fight but at this stage they are lounging in the No 13 spot on the Log.

Injuries have certainly hampered this team, who, due to budget constraints are clearly not strong enough in the depth department and this week is no different, 2 more withdrawals due to injury… Corne Uys and Tewis de Bruyn, but they have been replaced with able players in Robert Ebersohn (No 13)  and Tertius Carse (bench scrumhalf).

Can they show some mettle and break the Blues desperate aspirations for a semi-final, only time will tell.

The Blues, on No 8 on the Log and in need to win everything with a bonus point to have a hope of reaching the semi’s do not travel well, that history has shown us, but history has also shown us that the Cheetahs have not really been a match for the Blues hard runners and when the Blues click, they click big.

I predict a comfortable Blues win…. Blues by 18.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
13 Mar 2009 Cheetahs v Blues 12-46 North Harbour
01 Mar 2008 Cheetahs v Blues 26-50 Bloemfontein
06 Apr 2007 Cheetahs v Blues 8-26 Auckland
29 Apr 2006 Cheetahs v Blues 33-34 Bloemfontein

Teams:

Cheetahs: 15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Bjorn Basson, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Naas Olivier, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Frans Viljoen, 7. Juan Smith (c), 6. Hendro Scholtz, 5. Barend Pieterse, 4. Izak van der Westhuizen, 3. WP Nel, 2. Ryno Barnes, 1. Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16. Skipper Badenhorst, 17. Coenie Oosthuizen, 18. Waltie Vermeulen, 19. Phillip van der Walt, 20. Tertius Carse, 21. Riaan Viljoen, 22. Danwel Demas.

Blues: 15. Paul Williams, 14. Rene Ranger, 13. Isaia Toeava, 12. Benson Stanley, 11. Joe Rokocoko, 10. Stephen Brett, 9. Alby Mathewson, 8. Viliami Ma’afu, 7. Tom Chamberlain, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Filo Paulo, 4. Kurtis Haiu, 3. John Afoa, 2. Tom McCartney, 1. Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16. Tevita Mailau/ Keven Mealamu, 17. Charlie Faumuina, 18. Anthony Boric, 19. Peter Saili, 20. Chris Smylie, 21. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22. Anthony Tuitavake

Match Officials:
Referee: Marius Jonker (SA)
Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence (SA), Cobus Wessels (SA)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (SA)

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Lions vs Force:

The Lions host the Force at the Coke-Tin, Johannesburg at 17:05 SA Time.

The Lions are already 0 from 10 and it certainly looks like they have not improved, in fact it looks like they are now rock bottom, at their lowest ever ebb. There are just not enough quality players and typical of a second rate team, they will manage to keep the better teams occupied in the 1st half, then just capitulate dismally.

Enough said, I will get abusive if I had to continue.

The Force also looked like real slappers in the beginning of the season, but they have actually stood up to be counted, having just beaten the Crusaders.

I predict that the Force will slap the Lions silly, they are better than their season suggests…. Force by 15 PLUS.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
24 Apr 2009 Lions v Force 14-55 Perth
29 Feb 2008 Lions v Force 16-18 Johannesburg
24 Feb 2007 Lions v Force 25-24 Perth
28 Apr 2006 Lions v Force 34-34 Johannesburg

Teams:

Lions:  15. Carlos Spencer, 14. Michael Killian, 13. Deon van Rensburg, 12. Walter Venter, 11. Tonderai Chavhanga, 10. Herkie Kruger, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Derick Minnie, 7. Wikus van Heerden, 6. Cobus Grobbelaar, 5. Nico Luus, 4. George Earl, 3. Ross Geldenhuys, 2. Charles Emslie, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg.

Replacements: 16. Hannes Franklin, 17. Heinke van der Merwe,18.  Jacques Lombard, 19. Justin Wheeler, 20. Jacques Coetzee, 21. Jaco Taute/Wigan Pekeur, 22. Bernardo Botha.

Force:  15. Cameron Shepherd, 14. Scott Staniforth, 13. Mitch Inman, 12. Ryan Cross, 11. Nick Cummins, 10. David Hill, 9. Brett Sheehan, 8. Richard Brown, 7. David Pocock, 6. Matthew Hodgson, 5. Nathan Sharpe (Captain), 4. Sam Wykes, 3. Matt Dunning, 2. Ben Whittaker, 1. Pekahou Cowan
Replacements: 16. Nathan Charles, 17. Kieran Longbottom, 18. Tom Hockings, 19. Ben McCalman, 20. Justin Turner, 21. Sam Harris, 22. Mark Bartholomeusz

Match Officials:
Referee: Craig Joubert (SA)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (SA), Stefan Breytenbach (SA)
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (SA)

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Bulls vs Sharks:

The Bulls take on The Sharks at Loftus, Pretoria  at 19:10 SA Time.

These local derbies are tough, hard and uncompromising and the players know each other very well, which often levels the playing field somewhat.

The Bulls are Top of the Log, 5 points clear of their nearest rival and need to win here to already qualify for a semi-final spot. They will know that they have 2 difficult games to follow against the Crusaders and the Stormers and we know that their motto this season has been, “One game at a time”.

The Bulls are now a balanced side, having shed the weak front row performances of last year. Their tight 5 is always strong and even with replacements in the locks they have hardly felt the absence of Bakkies Botha, who now makes a welcome return.

Their loose forwards are a balanced combination but they come up against an equally ballanced combination. They will know that possession is key this week. At the back is where the Bulls look to have the wood over the Sharks, in almost every position, but they have been found wanting on the wings as far as defensive effort is concerned.

The Sharks had a terrible run in the opening rounds, where they lost 5 games in a row but they have now added 5 wins to those losses which effectively puts them out of a semi-final hope.

Having shuffled their front row around a bit there is suddenly a very competative and experienced front row. At locks they should play second fiddle to the Bulls. Sub standard line-outs and a lack of dicipline has been a major concern this year. At scrumhalf they have an on-form Ruan Pienaar, but from flyhalf onwards, they are largely impotent and vulnerable.

This remains a difficult one to predict but I suppose one would have to give the Bulls a slight edge here….. Bulls by 7.

 

Previous Super 14 Results:
16 May 2009 Bulls v Sharks 27-26 Durban
01 Mar 2008 Bulls v Sharks 15-29 Pretoria
19 May 2007 Final Bulls v Sharks 20-19 Durban
03 Feb 2007 Bulls v Sharks 3-17 Durban
29 Apr 2006 Bulls v Sharks 34-27 Pretoria

Teams:

Bulls: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 13. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (c), 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Bees Roux, 18. Danie Rossouw, 19. Derick Kuun, 20. Heini Adams, 21. Stephan Dippenaar, 22. Pedrie Wannenburg.

Sharks: 15. Patrick Lambie, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Stefan Terblanche, 12. Riaan Swanepoel, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Andy Goode, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Willem Alberts, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Johann Muller, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. John Smit (Capt).
Replacements: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Tendai Mtawarira, 18. Alistair Hargreaves, 19. Keegan Daniel, 20. Rory Kockott, 21. Andries Strauss, 22. Luzuko Vulindlu.

Match Officials:
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (SA)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (SA), Reuben Rossouw (SA)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (SA)